INTERVIEWS

Carol Novak poet & publisher has abandonned a life at the bar, for a life as a bard. Having given up the law, she has returned to her first love, writing. She approaches it with the same fire and enthusiasm she once had for being an attorney; and out of her dedication, The Mad Hatters' Review was born - one of the most innovative and exciting literary magazines on the internet.

Debbie Kirk poet, artist & publisher is an iconoclast, not only in her art, but in her life. She has chosen a precarious path, walking the crumbling cliff edge, impertinently staring down into the abyss. She has seen what many will never see, and she has been where few will dare to tread. She is a shock of red in a drab, monochrome world; a punk priestess burning menses in a triptane pyre.

Maggie Sawkins poet is excited. It's August 2007 and in just a month's time, Two Ravens Press are going to publish her first full length collection of poetry. So, who is Maggie Sawkins? Well, without beating about the bush, I ask her exactly that. I also ask her where she thinks she'll be in ten years time. Are we going to hear a lot more of Maggie Sawkins? Will she end up being the next Carol Ann Duffy? Only time will tell...

Jay Ramsay poet, healer and teacher once an angry young man and enfant terrible of the London poetry scene, he turned his back on ambition to pursue a more spiritual life. He is no less passionate about poetry: in fact, probably more so, but now his approach is different. In this interview Jay talks about his journey from the darkness into the light; and he reassures us that there is much to be optimistic about, even in these troubling times.

Carolyn Finlay poet talks about her holistic approach to poetry, informed by her spiritual sensibilities and shamanic studies. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, she arrived in London in the swinging sixties and has lived in the UK ever since. Now, with her family all but grown up, she is looking forward to doing an M.A., the chance to concentrate on her writing and maybe some world travel to boot.

Simon Harrison poet discusses whether or not drugs have any currency in the creative life, talking candidly about his problems with addiction as well as his passion for poetry. Not given to pomposity or self-promotion, Harrison can barely bring himself to submit his work to literary magazines, which is why you might never have heard of him, but I for one believe he has an extraordinary talent and will one day be 'discovered'. Watch this space...

Alasdair Gray author of numerous novels including 'Lanark', '1982 Janine' and 'Poor Things' endures yet another round of questions about his background, his political affiliations, his writing and especially about his debut novel, 'Lanark', which was published in 1981 and put Glasgow and Scotland back on the cultural map, after many years in the wilderness.

Rodge Glass novelist and biographer of Scottish literary giant, Alasdair Gray tells me how he blagged a cushy little number, working as assistant to the eccentric and now legendary Scottish author, Alasdair Gray, giving me an insight into Gray's working life and forthcoming projects. Rodge also talks about his own novel, 'No Fireworks', which will be published by Faber in July 2005.

Alan Corkish poet & editor of Erbacce lets me know exactly why he doesn't consider Benjamin Zephaniah, Carol Ann Duffy or Andrew Motion to be poets. In fact he suggests they might be 'anti-poets'. He also challenges my rather hippy stance that we will eventually reach a caring-sharing, touchy-feely Communist Utopia through aspiration, education and evolution, suggesting instead that we take up the Kalashnikov and follow in good old Uncle Joe Stalin's footsteps.

Norman J Olson artist and writer explains that he isn't bitter about being overlooked because he chose to do figurative, imagist art at a time when abstract expressionism, minimalism and so-called conceptual art were the prevailing fashion. Undaunted, he continues making art because he must. He is equally unfazed by prospect of recognition, which - long overdue - may be coming his way at last.

Rupert M Loydell poet, artist, editor of Stride Magazine and managing director of Stride Publications tries to persuade me he hasn't got a secret cloning machine in his garage. Considering his prodigious output as a writer and artist, the collaborative projects he's been involved with, the publishing empire he built from scratch, the magazine he edits, the magazines he regularly contributes to and his day job as a writer-in-residence, I remain unconvinced. How does he do it?

David Knopfler poet, musician and ex-member of Dire Straits gives me the lowdown on why he turned his back on the glitz and glamour of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and tells me what floats his boat nowadays - making music in his home-studio, writing poetry, enjoying being with his family, and even making a cup of tea exactly the way he likes it to taste...